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About
Us
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FRIENDSHIP
BAPTIST CHURCH
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Atlanta,
GA Organized
in 1866 |
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Friendship
Baptist Church was organized in 1866 in the days after the
Civil War, becoming Atlanta's first black Baptist independent
congregation. The congregation, being unable to buy
property, worshipped in a boxcar that was sent to Atlanta from
Chattanooga, Tennessee to house the first class room of what
became known as Atlanta University. A contractual
agreement was made with school organizers and Friendship
leaders to share this boxcar for church services and
educational purposes.
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The
membership grew rapidly so the congregation moved to a larger
building on the corner of Hayes and Markham Streets, and later
to its present site at Northside Drive..
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Friendship's role in black education has been unique in that
Morehouse College, upon moving to Atlanta from Augusta,
Georgia in 1879, set up classes in Friendship Baptist
Church, and Spelman College had its beginning in the
basement of the present site in 1881. Close ties between these
institutions continue to this day.
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It
is worthy to note that Friendship has had only five pastors in
its existence to serve the years as follows (click
to view their pages below):
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Friendship Baptist Church throughout its history, has
contributed outstanding leaders in the fields of education,
business and politics, including former Mayor Maynard Jackson,
son of former pastor and who served three terms as Mayor of
Atlanta.
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Friendship's affiliations include the American Baptist
Churches, USA, the Progressive National Baptist Convention,
the World Baptist Alliance, and their respective regional and
local units.
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Ecumenically, Friendship Church is affiliated with the
Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, the National
Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches.
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Friendship is known as the "Mother Church" among
Baptists in Atlanta because of its role in harmoniously
forming several other congregations throughout the city.
These congregations include:
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1868
Mount Zion Second Baptist Church
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1870
Providence Missionary Baptist Church
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1871
Wheat Street Baptist Church
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1871
Paradise Baptist Church
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1872
Zion Hill Baptist Church
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1877
Antioch Baptist Church
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1909
Little Friendship Baptist Church
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1917
Union Baptist Church
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The Friendship congregation ( as part of its concern to
provide spiritual and social uplift within the community, and
through the leadership of its ministers) has provided an
extensive housing ministry, including the E. R. Carter
Old Folks Home ( now demolished), the Samuel W.
Williams/Friendship Center Apartments and the Friendship Tower
High-rise for the Elderly and Handicapped.
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Friendship Baptist Church has consistently committed
itself to the Word of God. It has been steadfast in its
Mission at home and abroad. The Church has been a temple of
praise and thanksgiving and, has been resolved to meeting the
myriad of challenges of contemporary life.
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As
we continue to build on this rich history, TO GOD BE THE THE
GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAST DONE.
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